THE EX-SAMOANS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2446, 27 April 1915, Page 6

THE EX-SAMOANS

THEIR TREATMENT

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT

With reference to the statements that have appeared in the Press of the Dominion regarding the way in which the men returned from Samoa have been dealt with, tho Defence authorities state that on tho return of the first contingent the men were given the option of taking a fortnight s leave and being posted to an early draft of Reinforcements, or of taking their discharge if they so desired. It was fully explained to the men on repeated occasions that those who elected to take their discharge, could only re-enlist by registering their names as recruits, as in the case of the man in the street.

011 the return of the 2nd Contingent the men were given the opportunity of "taking on" at once-tfor service with the 4th Reinforcements if room could be found for .-them', in which case no leave could be grafted, as it was neceßsary to re-clothe and re-equip the men forthwith and also to post them and get their names on to the records of the units they were joining. Those who did not wish to' leave New Zealand so soon wore given the opportunity of taking, their. fortnight's leave ana of goinjr back into Trentham camp for training to accompany the'6th Reinforcements or of talcing their discharge. N.C.O.'s were informed that they were entitled to join the Expeditionary Force at the front with the. rank to wbich they had been promoted while in Samoa, and would not have to relinquish their appointments as is the case with all' temporary appointments made .in Trentham with'the Reinforcements on join,ing the Main Force. The option was also -'given to N.C.O.'s. who were anxious to join the 4th Reinforcements with which there were no vacancies for n.c.o's. to. relinquish their rank if they so desired and so to prooeed to the front without further training in Trentham Camp. A few n.c.o.'s being very keen to get to the front at the first possible opportunity, availed themselves of the offer, and went back into the ranks with the 4th Reinforcemdnts.

There has been some complaint against the decision that the Samoan men in Trentham camp must undergo further training before proceeding to the front. The Defence authorities state that this complaint has been made without a full knowledge of the circumstances of the casd. Certainly the men haVe been drilled and trained in Samoa, but Samoa is densely covered with bush and vegetation, and affords no opportunity for properly training men in extended order work, which experience has shown to be .essential for modern fighting. "Before proceeding to 'the front, as far as: time will admit, the training of the men returned 1 from Samoa will be completed in Trentham Camp.' •

Of the first contingent , who returned from' Samoa, 113 men joined the 4th Reinforcements, and 45 are now with the sth Reinforcements. These latter arc mostly men who desired not to leave New Zealand at an early. date, and others who were temporarily .unfit. Of the second contingent, .20. availed them'Belves- of the offer to be posted with the 4th Reinforcements, and 92 have ioined and are. now serving at TrenCham with the sth Reinforcements. Some 10 n.c.o.'s were posted to the Gth Reinforcements, but subsequently , applied for their discharge. This is regretted, as these men would have been- valuable for the new force of infantry now being raised. . • ■ Regarding the matter of discharge, it is pointed out that ; discharge certificates certify, to a man's character. The certificate accordingly must be carefully prepared by officers rwho have commanded the men on sarvice in Samoa, It was quite impossible to prepare all the certificates on the date on which the men were paid and discharged, as' all the officers were not present under whose command tho men. had served. The certificates;- however,-- have now iieen practically completed, -and will bo .issued in tho course of a few days.,,